Latch or keeper means



July 5 1927 c. l.. cRooKs ET AL LATCH OR KEEPER MEANS Filed Aug. 11. 1923'vv 6 z5 6 'arlas 69007116, l l mwwmd@ om?,

Patented July 5, l927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES I. CROOKS AND FRANCIS M. VANDERVOOR'I, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, AS- SIGNORS TO THE POSITIVE LOCK COMPANY, 0F PUEBLO, COLORADO, A CORPORA- Tron or COLORADO.

LATCH on KEEPER MEANS.

Application mea August 11, 192s. serial No. 656,907.

This invention relates to latch or keeper means particularly adapted for use in connection with the closures of moving vehicles where there is a tendency, when the vehicle is in operation, for the closure and the parts of the latch or keeper means therefor to vibrate and rattle. Although this invention is particularly adapted for use with the doors of a vehicle, such as an automobile, and although latch and keeper means embodying the invention are shown and described as used in this connection, it is to be understood that the invention may be used in any other connection for which it is adapted.

An object of this invention is to provide latch or keeper means readily movable to receive a cooperating bolt or catch and to lirmly hold the same in latched position against rattling, the parts of the latch or keeper means being at all times held against rattling.

rlhe above and other objects and features of construction will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate two forms of the invention, but it is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention shown and described are merely two formswhich the broad invention may take chosen to explain the principles of the broad invention and are to` be taken as illustrative and not restrictive.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side view in elevation of latch or keeper means embodying the invention shown in conjunction with a cooperating latch, the'parts being shown in the position they occupy when mounted on the door jamb and door, respectively, of an automobile,`

Fig. 2 is an end view of the-latch or keeper' means and the cooperating latch, the latch or keeper means and a fragment of the latch bolt being shown in section,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the latch or keeper means with one of the cover plates removed, the latch bolt, illustrated in section, being shown in latched position in the latch'or keeper means,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3', but with the latch bolt omitted, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of latch or keeper means embodying the invention, one of the cover .plates being removed.

Broadly stated, the invention comprises latching means projecting in the path of a bolt or catch yieldable to allow the bolt or catch to pass and then movable to prevent passage of the bolt or catch in the opposite direction, and abutment means, the latching means engaging the bolt or catch and pressing or clamping it against the abutment means.

Stated more specifically, the invention comprises op osed spring-pressed pivoted latching mem ers or dogs separable one from the other by the insertion of a `bolt or catch therebetween, the swinging. ends of said l'atching members or dogs each provided with a cam or eccentric surface, and an abutment, the bolt or catch being movable past the swinging ends of the latch members or dogs to latch the bolt or catch in the space between the swinging ends of the latch members or dogs and the abutment, the latching members or dogs pressing the bolt or catch against the abutment.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly to Figs. 1-4 inclusive, 1 indicates generally a casing or mounting for the latch or keeper means which is adapted to be mounted so that one side lies flush with the edge of the door jamb, indicated by dotted lines at J. In the present instance casing or mounting 1 comprises two plates or casing members 2 and 3, each provided with integral right-angular extensions which form sides and ends of the casing. Casing 1 is provided with holes 4: to receive screws or other suitable fastening means for securing the casing to the door jamb. lf desired, holes 4 may be formed by providing casing members 2 and 3 with hollow extruded portions, the extruded ortions of one casing member projecting into, and expanded or riveted in, the hollow extruded portions of the other casing member. Such a construetion, which is shown and described more in detail in the pending application of Francis M. Vandervoort, Ser. No. 651,112 filed Jul 12, 1923, not only provides countersun apertures for receiving the means `for Securing the casing to the door jamb, but also provides means for fastening the casing members together.

' the same 1n latched position against rattling. yIn the present instance, the latching means comprises two op osed latching members 5 and 6 pivoted :Ltg and 8 respectively to the casing l, the pivots being near one side of the casing and disposed adjacent opposite sides of a slot or recess 9 provided in the casing. The swinging ends of the latch members or dogs 5 and ywhich are provided with reduced portions forming shoulders 10 and 11 and eccentric or cam surfaces l2 and 13, respectively, extend into the slot or recess 9 .and are urged toward each other by suitable spring means which.

in the present instance comprises coiled springs 14 and 15. Each spring is mounted or confined between an end of the casing and its respective latch member, the latch members each being provided with a socket or seat 16 for supporting an end of a spring. Springs 14 and 15 press the swinging ends of the latching members or dogs 5 and 6 toward/each other and against abutment means 17 mounted between the swinging ends of the latch members or dogs, the shoulders 10 and 11 of the latch members or dogs engaging the abutment means thereby preventing the latching members or dogs from swinging together or touching each other. lin this position, which is the normal or unlatched position of the parts, the cam or eccentric surfaces 12 and 13 are spaced rom the abutment means, but the space between the eccentric or cam surfaces and the abutment means is smaller than the thickness of the bolt or catch which is to be used with the latch or keeper means. See Fig. t. ln the example illustrated, abutment means 17 is formed by integral angular eX- tensions of casing members or plates 2 and A3 bent to the desired sha e, but it is obvious that abutment 17 could e made of a separate piece or pieces of metal connected to the casing by any suitable means, such as welding for instance.

The bolt or catch B to be latched is inserted between the latching members or cams 5 and 6, the bolt in entering moving substantially longitudinally of the latching `members, engaging the opposed longitudinal ed es 5a and 6a to torce the swinging ends or the latching members apart against the tension of the springs 14 and 15. The bolt continues to move into the latch or keeper means until it just passes the cam' members with the bolt B. It will thus be seen that when the bolt is in latched position, it is always rigidly held against rattling irrespective ot wear. The latching members automatically compensate for wear of the eccentric surfaces by swinging in toward each other a little closer as the surfaces wear away. The latch bolt B shown is of trough or channel shape having a web portion 18 and depending anges or sides 19 and` 20, the sides or flanges projecting from the `web ortion 18 at an obtuse angle. lt will be o served that the bolt enters the latch or keeper means with its open or concave side toward the abutment means 17, the

abutment means being convex or shaped to conform' substantially to the contour of the open or concave side of the bolt. When the bolt is in latched position the longitudinall axes and pivot points of the latch members are substantially erpendicular to the respective sides or anges 19 and 20 of the bolt The latch or keeper means are shown used with a latch having a bolt which normally projects from the swinging edge of the door to which the latch is secured, the bolt remaining in projected position while moving to latched position within the latch or keeper means andthe latch or keeper means yielding to receive the bolt. In the construction illustrated, the bolt is retracted laterally from within the latch or keeper means when it is desired to open the door. Bolt B is supported for sliding movement by a suitable mounting or casing indicated generally by 21 comprising a base or back plate 22 provided with an angular extension 23 which forms the front face of the latch casing, said front face designed to be flush with the free or swinging edge of the door, indicated by D. Plate or extension "23 is provided with a hole 231 to permit passage of bolt B therethrough. A housing plate 24 secured to ,base plate 22 cooperates with the base plate to form a bolt guiding chamber 25 and a housing 26 for the bolt-retracting mechanism. A. spring 27 mounted in the bolt guiding chamber between the end wall of the bolt guiding chamberand an abutment 28 mounted on the :bolt B tends to project the bolt from the casing. A lever 29 which engages abutment 28 on bolt B and is pivoted at 31 to the latch casing and a roll-back or cam 3() pivoted at 32 to the latch casing provide 'means for retracting the bolt B, this mechanism also providing 30 -Y the abutment member 17 moves toward or retracting the bolt the lever 29 is directly operated or roll-back .30 is operated, by

means of an outside handle (not shown) eX- tending through the square aperture 33 of the roll-back, to 'engage and swing lever 29, lever 29 engaging abutment 28 on bolt B to cause the bolt to slide intothe casing against the tension of spring 27.

It is to be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the use of any particular latch or bolt construction, the construction illustrated being merely one type which can be used with the invention. The term bolt as used throughout the specification is understood to include any bolt, catch, pin, or similar fastenin element. Although a bolt of the particular shape illustrated is preferred, itis to be understood that a bolt of different shape can be used.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of latch or .keeper means. In this form, the abutment means 17 is movable, being connected to latch members 5 and 6 so that as they move toward or away from the cooperating bolt,

away from the bolt, so that the bolt is clamped in latched position between thie latching members and the abutment against rattling.

rIhe construction of this form is very similar to that shown in Figs. 1 4 inclusive, the latching members or dogs 5 and 6 being pivoted at 7 and 8 respectively between plates 2 and 3 of a casing indicated generally by 1, the pivots being near one side of the casing and adjacent opposite sides of the notch or recess 9 provided in the casing. The swinging ends of the latch members 5 and 6, which are provided with cam or eccentric surfaces 12 and 13, respectively, extend into t-he slot or recess 9 and are urged toward each other by coiled springs 14 and 15. In this form, each latch member is provided with a pin 161 extending toward its adjacent end wall of the casing, the pins ex- 'tending through the coils of the springs and serving as supports for the springs and also as stops limiting the outward swing of the latch members. In this form of the invention, the abutment member 17 is connected to and supported by the latch members or dogs 5 and 6, the latch members 5 and 6 being provided at their swinging ends with recesses or indentations 51 and 61 terminating in socket portions 52 and 62 respectively. The abutment member 17 is provided with arms or projections 171 and 172 extending into the recesses or indentations 51 and 61 respectively, the ends of the arms or projections 171 and 172 being provided with eads 173 and 174 which lit' 1n the sockets 52 and 62 of latch members 5 and 6 respectively. It vwill -be observed that theheads 173 and 174 on the abutment member 17 lit loosely in the sockets 52 and 62 respectively of latch members 5 and 6, thus permitting a small amount of play between these parts. In the normal or unlatched position of the device, .springs 14 and 15 press the latching members 5 and 6 toward each other and against abutment means 17 mounted between the swinging Aends of the latching members or dogs, the shoulders or sides 10 and 11 of the latching members or dogs engaging the abutment means therelby preventing the latching members or dogs from swinging together or touching each other. v

When the bolt to be latched enters between the latching members, it strikes the opposed longitudinal edges 5- and 6a of the latching members to force the swinging ends of the latching members apart a ainst the tension of springs 14 and 15. paration of the latching members causes the`abutment member 17 to move away from the entering bolt, this movement continuing until the entering bolt has just passed the swinging ends of the latch members, at which time the latch members swing toward each other to hold the bolt in latched position, the abutment member at the same time being moved toward, and into engagement with, the latched bolt. It will thus be seen that both the latching members and the abutment move toward the latched bolt to engage and press the same against each other. The bolt is thus elfectively held against rattling in latched position.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact arrangements shown and described and that various'modifications of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the broad invention as defined in the appended claims.

Vhat we claim is:

1. The combination, with a bolt, of abutment means, and eccentrically mounted latching means engaging said bolt and pressing it in engagement with said abutment means.

2. The combination, with a bolt, of abutment means, and pivoted latchin means provided with cam surfaces engaging said bolt and pressing it in engagement with said abutment means.

3. The combination, with a bolt, of abutment means, and latching means movable to engage and hold said bolt in latching position and to Wedge said bolt in engagement with said abutment means.

4.' The combination, with a bolt, of latching means therefor projecting in the path of the bolt yieldable toallow the bolt to lpass and then movable to prevent passage cam being movable to latch said bolt in the space between said cam and said abutment means, said cam engaging said bolt and pressing it against said abutment means.

7. rllhe combinat-ion, with a bolt, of latching means therefor comprising members resiiiently pressed one toward the other and separable by entry of a bolt therebetween, and abutment means, said members engaging said bolt and wedging it against said abutment means.

8. The combination, with a bolt, of an abutment, and a latching member provided at one end with an eccentric portion, said bolt being movable substantially longitudinally of said latching member past the eccentric portion of said latching member to latch the bolt in the space between said ec-. centric end portion and said'abutment, said latching member engaging said bolt and pressing it against the abutment.

9. The combination, with a bolt, of an abutment, opposed cam members separable from one another and adapted to receive said bolt therebetween, and spring meanstending to press said cam members againstsaid bolt, said cam members pressing said bolt against said abutment.

l0. The combination, with a bolt, of an abutment, a pivoted cam member', said bolt adapted to enter between said cam member and said abutment, and spring means tending to press said pivoted cam member against said bolt, said pivoted cam member. pressing said bolt against said abutment.

ll. The combination, with a troughshaped channel bolt, ot abutment means, and latching means movable to engage and hold said bolt in latching position and to press said bolt against said abutment means.

l2. The combination, with a troughshaped channel bolt having a web and depending sides or flanges, the sides or ianges each forming an obtuse angle with the web,-V

of abutment means, and opposed pivoted latch members, said bolt being movable past the swinging ends of said latch members to latch the bolt in the space between said ends` and said abutment means, said latching members each engaging one ot the sides or 1,es4,ese

flanges oi the bolt and pressing said bolt.

jects between the sides or lianges of said' bolt, and opposed pivoted latch members,

said bolt being movable past the swin 'ng ends of said latch members to latch the olt in the spacel between said ends and said abutment means, said latching members each engaging one of the sides or flanges of the bolt and pressing said bolt against said abutment means, the pivot point oit each latching member being in a line substantially perpendicular to its cooperating side or flange of said bolt. v

14. A device of the class described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and abutment means engageable by a bolt entering between said members, said members engaging said bolt and wedging it against said abutment means.

l5. A device ot the class described comprising an abutment, and opposed members separable one from the'other by the insertion ot a bolt therebetween, said bolt being movable past one end of each of said members to latch the bolt in the space between such ends and said abutment, lsaid latching members' engaging said bolt and wedging it against said abutment.

16. A device of the class described comprising opposed pivoted cam members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and an abutment spaced from the cam surfaces of said cam members and arranged so that a bolt inserted between said cam members will be retained between the cam surfaces of said cam members and said abutment, said cam members engaging said bolt and pressing it against said abutment.

17. A. device of the class described comprising opposed pivoted dogs, each provided withan eccentric surface, separable one from the other b the insertion of a bolt therebetween, an an abutment member spaced from the eccentric surfaces of said dogs and arranged so that a bolt inserted between said dogs will be retained between the eccentric surfaces of said dogs and said abutment, the eccentric surfaces of said dogs engaging said bolt and pressing it against said abutment member.

18. A device of the class described comprising opposed pivoted dogs separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, the swinging ends of said dogs each provided with an eccentric surface, spring means urging said dogs one toward the other, and an abutment spaced from the eccentric surfaces of said dogs and arranged so that a bolt inserted between said dogs will be retained between the eccentric surfaces of 20. The combination, with a bolt, of sta? .tionary abutment means, and a latching member, said bolt being movable past one end of said latching member to latch t-he bolt in the s ace between said end and said stationary a utment means, said latching member engaging said bolt and wedging it against said stationary abutment means.

2l. rThe combination, with al bolt, of a stationary abutment or stop, opposed pivoted dogs separable one from the other by the insertion of the bolt therebetween, the swinging ends of said dogs each provided with an eccentric surface, and spring means urging said dogs one toward the other, said bolt movable past the swinging ends of said dogs to latch the bolt in the space between said ends and said abutment or stop, the swinging ends of said dogs engaging said bolt and pressing it against said abutment orstop.

22. A device of the class described comprising opposed members resiliently pressed one toward the other and adapted to latch a bolt therebetween, and a stationary abutment mounted between said members and limiting the movement of one opposed member toward the other, said latching members engaging said bolt and pressing it against said abutment..

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

CHARLES L. CROOKS. FRANCIS M. VANDERVOORT. 

